Kinneigh Union has had a number of visiting preachers recently! The Rector’s job as Warden of Readers has meant she needs to hear the Readers in Training actually preach in a real situation. So it has been good to welcome Helen, Nicholas, Sandra and Ted to come and try their voices in a situation not their own. It can be a bit scary for brand new preachers doing this, (especially in front of the Warden of Readers) but they all managed very well. We wish them well in their new ministry.
The Mother’s Union had their opening service on 26th September and the Rector gave an illustrated talk on the Labyrinth. Members had a go at hand labyrinths.
On 28th September a small group gathered to get ideas for their ‘squares.’ Various people in the community are working on squares of material and depending on how many we get done it is hoped we will have enough for four quilted hangings in each of the churches. Marjorie Garland on 023 22787 or Betty Smith on 021 7338177 are heading this project up. The M.U. meeting on 24th October will continue this theme and project with a few demonstrations. The following meeting of the M.U. will be on Tuesday 14th November at Ballymoney Hall for a cookery demonstration evening.
Ballymoney Hall is nearly completed with its new refurbishment. Thank you to Lily Shorten for overseeing so many necessary details. The work on the Kilmeen Church windows continues well. We are paying for them bit by bit and have promises of more money to complete the whole project.
The Union Harvest at Desertserges was also a wonderful ecumenical occasion when our Methodist friends joined forces with us on Sunday morning on 1st October. The Rev John Purdy, using the theme of wheat and tares (or so-called weeds,) demonstrated that all were equally as much part of God’s creation. None of us should think of our selves as either ‘a weed’ or a piece of wheat – God alone knows us, for what we are. Thank you to everyone who brought harvest produce in bags and boxes. Cyril Shorten and Ralph Shorten successfully auctioned these off after the service, with the help of the children! Proceeds went to Christian Aid. The Rev. Derek Poole was unable to be our preacher at this service (as was written about last month.) His wife Lilian had to have an operation two days before and it seemed wrong that he should have to come all the way from Dublin on that Sunday morning. We wish Lilian speedy recovery. Our thanks to John for stepping in at short notice.
The Children’s Harvest this year was at Ballineen where we welcomed Clonakilty and Dunmanway Joy Clubs. The theme was Water. After lots of craft activities, games and a quiz, we got to see lots of water when the Dunmanway Fire Brigade came and with great excitement all round, gave us a demonstration putting out an imaginary fire at the old railway station. One little boy, who had learnt all about not wasting water, said loudly that we were wasting water! Umm! Yes OK!
The celebrations of Kinneigh 150 are elsewhere in this magazine.
On 5th November we will have a special Gift Day for Desertserges Church; then the last two Sundays in November (19th and 26th) will be our Annual Aid and Missionary Giving time when all collections go to our various agencies, projects and charities.